Do you say prayers?

As a non-believer I don't pray. I understand that it is comforting to know that other people are thinking about you in difficult times, but I can't understand how praying can possibly alter a future state. Does it depend on how many people are praying for an action: the more people praying, the more likely it is that this all powerful 'god' will intervene?

No I don't pray but I sometimes ask the Universe for kindness.

Greyduster I echo your words. I hear people say that we all have a guardian angel. I think 'Mine left the country on the day I was born and never returned.'

When we were told my sister (who was in her 20s) was not going to recover from her cancer my parents got quite distressed when anyone said they would pray for my sister. My dad had always been an atheist and had no time for religion and my mother lost all her faith when we found out how poorly my waiter was. So no I would never offer to pray for anyone, if they asked me to pray for them I would say yes and do so.

The last time I prayed, I think God was on holiday.

I was brought up in a family where church was a very occasional thing. I went to a Cof E school with regular prayers and RE lessons. I must have taken something on board. There have been 2 times in my life when I found myself praying almost without realising. These were times when there was nothing else you could do. Since then I have prayed at bedtime fairly regularly especially during the last year when my DH has been so ill.

I pray every night, but only for others. If I say I will pray for someone I do but I also pray for many who don’t know I exist.

I often pray, in my own way, despite not being religious at all.

I pray every night always have and very often in the day, just short ones in my head. I was taught never ever pray for money or worldly goods.

I pray every night, between my god and me.

Yes I think I do say prayers. To myself only though .

aggie

Yes I pray , and if I say I’ll pray for someone I will

Exactly so. I never pray for myself as I've always thought of asking for stuff as just another example of human selfishness. But I will speak to God about other people - I still don't ask for anything, I just suggest he might look at them and give them some ease. Whether he does or not is debatable, but that's his business, not mine!

Do I say prayers? No I don’t, but interesting how many people do. Each to his or her own.

Father we thank Thee for the night
And for the previous morning light etc etc
So too in the night:-
This night when I lie down to go to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep etc etc

Yes, I started praying more during lock down (there wasn't much else to do!) now I pray at various times in the day and for various reasons.
It helps- more than expensive counselling or any other self-help fad has.
Yes, I do pray on my knees too in the morning once I've made my bed.
At night I pray with a phone app under the covers and mostly fall asleep in the process!
It has become so embedded I cannot imagine my life without it now.

I don’t believe in a god,any god so no I don’t pray.I have a very good friend currently literally on his deathbed who hasn’t,t missed mass every day for most of his life even now he gets the nurse to get him dressed for mass every day.in the hospice His god deemed it right that he lost his wife in her 30s leaving him with two young children now he,ll leave them orphans in their 20,s .I don’t have any good thoughts about a “Higher being” who wrecks lives…I,ve watched him get weaker and in more pain day after day for over 2 years..is that the way a loving father would treat his”children” ?I want nothing to do with a god that’s cruel and uncaring .
Then look at the thousands of deaths in wars currently all or mainly religion based.
I truly believe religion is the opiate of the masses ,keeps people in their place and gives them a crutch when they can’t cope

Grandma 70s, that is so funny .

Yes I pray , and if I say I’ll pray for someone I will
Just as Aggie said!

Grandma70s

Fidelity2

I pray every night. My mother used to hear my prayers every bedtime.
Gentle Jesus meek and mild,
look upon a little child,
pity my simplicity,
suffer me to come to thee.
Please Jesus make me a good girl.
Amen

I like the story of the little girl who thought Plicity was a place mice lived in, and didn’t like very much, so she prayed

Pity mice in Plicity.

😂😂 Like ‘ Gladly, my crosseyed bear’.

Fidelity2

I pray every night. My mother used to hear my prayers every bedtime.
Gentle Jesus meek and mild,
look upon a little child,
pity my simplicity,
suffer me to come to thee.
Please Jesus make me a good girl.
Amen

I like the story of the little girl who thought Plicity was a place mice lived in, and didn’t like very much, so she prayed

Pity mice in Plicity.

Moggycuddler, the Book of Job is supposed to answer that question. I suppose you may understand the Book of Job, although I should say I don't. Fortunately it's a short book.

If you do read it, and understand its message, I'd be glad to hear from you either on this forum or by PM. Thanks.

Eggplant wrote:

"Yes, logically, I agree. But I miss the Church. It was a time when everything just stopped somehow. That and the wonderful music and hymns, melodies and words."

Real and insightful. You must go to a church that is led by a good preacher and a skilled music director, no matter which religious sect. It is so difficult for a minister to teach a congregation composed of diverse people and include something for everybody.

I do pray, and if I say I will pray for someone I do pray for them.

I like praying with others as well as alone. It's wonderful to pray with friends.

If I say I'll pray for someone I will
Although I don't think I've full belief, I somehow, and I can't explain how, have more belief in a God than just nothingness.I don't think the human race is just material. I just think /believe even that there is something more.

As a non-believer, no. I do think about anyone who is having a tough time, though.